This week, students at the University of Cambridge were surprised to learn that the prestigious academic center had severed relations with Russia when it invaded Ukraine. Many prestigious universities have been experiencing severe demonstrations in recent days, with demands from administrations to cut all academic ties with Israel, including Israeli educational institutions, researchers, and students.
One of the main targets of these clashes is the Free University of Berlin, where a protest tent similar to those seen on US campuses was set up. Other universities where demonstrations and clashes have taken place include France, Italy, Spain, Norway, Denmark, and more. In Berlin, at least 20 tents were set up at the Free University, and demonstrators formed a human chain to prevent security forces from entering the compound.
At Humboldt University in Berlin, demonstrations led to dozens of arrests as police attempted to clear the protest. Similar protests were held at the University of Leipzig. Meanwhile, universities in Amsterdam, Vienna, Helsinki, Copenhagen, Bologna, Rome, Naples, Valencia, Barcelona, Madrid, and other cities have also seen protest camps established.
In Paris, severe clashes were recorded at Sciences Po University, with images of protesters breaking into buildings where exams were being held. The region’s president suspended funding to the university until order and peace were restored, stating that a radical minority advocating for anti-Semitic hatred would not dictate the law to the entire educational community.